Today's Scripture
Question #16 – Proverbs 14:29-32
– Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
but passion makes the bones rot.
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honor him.
32 The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,
but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.
RJ's Devotion
As we start 2017, we wanted to examine the 22 questions of John Wesley. He challenged his followers to ask these rigorous self-examining questions, as they walk toward holiness. For the next four weeks, we will examine each question, daily. Also, I encourage you to read the ‘One Year Bible Reading Plan’ suggested by Bishop Sharma Lewis.
What the passage says
The Message Version gives us an easier understanding of the text.
29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding;
a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.
30 A sound mind makes for a robust body,
but runaway emotions corrode the bones.
31 You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless;
when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God.
32 The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold;
the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.
What does the passage say to me/us?
“Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?”
Wesley challenges his followers to examine their character. I wish when I decided to follow Christ, that my character would have transformed. However, I know did not happen.That is why we describe the ‘Sanctifying Grace,’ as a journey. It is a journey for us to see how God transforms our character, as we become aware of the areas to be changed. It requires a careful examination of our life. It requires us to be in a vulnerable stage so that Jesus can come can change us. It requires us to admit that we are broken, so the Lord and remold us into God’s image.
Prayer
Lord, we confess that we are broken. We come to you in our brokenness. Help us to lay down our masks of pretending that we are perfect. Help us to come into your presence to experience your healing hand. Help us to walk in this journey, to be more like you every day. In Christ name, we pray, AMEN
Click to subscribe to our Daily Devotion.
You will receive a devotion in your inbox every morning.